English

 

Curriculum intent:

Our English curriculum at Lampton exposes students to a rich and diverse range of texts, fostering a lifelong passion for reading. We teach pupils to be critical readers, writers, and thinkers, able to express their ideas clearly and thoughtfully. Through ambitious literature and thought-provoking themes, we encourage discussion, debate, and the confidence to share personal perspectives. Our aim is to develop articulate, empathetic, and culturally aware young people.

 

	Aut 1 (Sep-Oct)	Aut 2 (Nov-Dec)	Spr 1 (Jan-Feb)	Spr 2 (Mar-Apr)	Sum 1 (Apr-May)	Sum 2 (Jun-Jul)
7	Ancient Origins Knowledge Organiser	Links to Legends Knowledge Organiser	Links to Legends Knowledge Organiser	The Art of Rhetoric Knowledge Organiser	The Art of Rhetoric/Romance Knowledge Organiser	Romance   Knowledge Organiser
8	Ancient Origins Knowledge Organiser	Links to Legends Knowledge Organiser	Links to Legends Knowledge Organiser	The Art of Rhetoric Knowledge Organiser	The Art of Rhetoric/Romance Knowledge Organiser	Romance   Knowledge Organiser
9	Nonfiction Extract Skills: Crime and Punishment Knowledge Organiser	Nonfiction Reading Skills: Examining Views Knowledge Organiser	Romeo and Juliet     Knowledge Organiser	Modern Novel: Secrets of a Henna Girl Knowledge Organiser	Modern Novel: Secrets of a Henna Girl   Knowledge Organiser	Conflict Poetry
10	Language Paper 1	Spoken Language Endorsement   +  Nineteenth Century Novel	Nineteenth Century Novel	Conflict Poetry	The Modern Text	Language Paper 2
11	Macbeth	Macbeth	Unseen Poetry and Writing	Revision	Revision
12	Beloved + The Picture of Dorian Gray   A Streetcar Named Desire	Beloved + The Picture of Dorian Gray   A Streetcar Named Desire	Victorian Verse   Poems of the Decade	Victorian Verse   Poems of the Decade	Revision of Prose, Drama and Poetry from Year 12.	The Bloody Chamber / coursework skills.
13	The Bloody Chamber / coursework skills.   Othello	The Bloody Chamber / coursework skills.   Othello	Finish any remaining content.	Finish any remaining content.   Revision	Revision

 

GCSE exam board & specification:

• GCSE English Language: AQA (Specification)

• GCSE English Literature: Edexcel (Specification)
   

Textbook(s):

GCSE English Language: none required.

GCSE English Literature:

• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Whilst the department can provide copies, we encourage students to purchase their own copies so they can effectively revise at home and annotate their texts.

• An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley, Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman (pupils will be informed which to purchase by their class teacher). Whilst the department can provide copies, we encourage students to purchase their own copies so they can effectively revise at home and annotate their texts.

• Copies of the Pearson Edexcel Poetry Anthology are provided free by the department. We study the Conflict cluster of poetry within it.

• Copies of Macbeth by William Shakespeare; we ask that pupils purchase a copy from the school at a significantly cheaper price than publically available.

 

A level exam board & specification: Edexcel (Specification).
 

Textbook(s):

GCE English Literature:

• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Year 12 and 13.

• Beloved by Toni Morrison. Year 12 and 13.

• A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. Year 12 and 13.

• Poems of the Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry. Year 12 and 13.

• Othello by William Shakespeare. Year 12 and 13.

• The New Oxford Book of Victorian Verse (Oxford Books of Prose and & Verse), edited by Christopher Ricks. Year 12 and 13. The department provides paper copies of the relevant poems from this collection.

• The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter. Year 13.

 

Students will be given clean copies of the set texts in the exam and will not be able to take in any notes. 

 

Curriculum intent: 

The intent of the A Level English Literature curriculum is to develop students into confident, critical, and independent readers who can engage thoughtfully with a wide range of literary texts. Through the study of prose, poetry, and drama across different periods, students gain an appreciation of how literature reflects and shapes cultural, historical, and social contexts. The curriculum encourages the development of analytical and evaluative skills, enabling students to explore form, structure, and language, and to respond to texts with insight and originality. By engaging with multiple interpretations and critical perspectives, and through opportunities for independent research and extended writing, students are supported in forming their own well-informed responses. Ultimately, the course prepares learners for further academic study and a range of careers by nurturing a deep and lasting appreciation of literature and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

 

How to help your child at A Level:

1. Encourage regular reading: support your child to read all set texts carefully and more than once! Encourage them to explore related books, authors, and literary criticism to deepen understanding.

2. Talk about the texts: ask open ended questions about themes, characters, and ideas. Your interest helps your child think critically and express their ideas clearly.

3. Help with organisation: encourage note-taking and planning. A quiet, distraction-free study space and a revision timetable can make a big difference.

4. Promote independent research: suggest documentaries, podcasts, and trustworthy articles related to their texts. These help broaden context and critical insight.

5. Support coursework (NEA): be a sounding board for ideas, but avoid doing the work for them. Help your child refine their arguments through discussion.

6. Build confidence: remind your child that complex texts can be challenging, and persistence is key. Celebrate progress and effort.

7. Understand assessment: learn about how your child’s work is marked to better support their revision and coursework. Exam board websites offer useful guides and sample materials.

8. Encourage engagement and understanding of the drama component through visiting theatres and watching performances. 

 

How to help your child: 

1. Revision support 

From KS3 onwards, encourage your child to revise core ideas by using the knowledge organisers and creating dual-coded resources—for instance, character mind maps, thematic timelines, or quote/image pairings. These help make abstract ideas memorable. You can support by discussing these visuals with your child or quizzing them using short prompts: “What does this image represent?”, “Why is this quote important?”, “How does this moment change the story?”.

The school also invests in a number of online resources that are valuable resources for independent learning such as: Century, Seneca and Massolit.

2. Extend their reading and viewing beyond the classroom

At all Key Stages, independent reading or viewing can significantly broaden vocabulary, ideas, and cultural understanding. Encourage your child to read modern novels, short stories, or journalism with thematic or stylistic links to their curriculum. For example:

• KS3 pupils might enjoy myth retellings or Gothic short stories

• GCSE pupils could explore dystopian fiction (The Hunger Games, The Power) alongside their set texts

• A-Level students benefit from reading critical essays or novels that explore similar contexts to their core texts (e.g. Dracula alongside Dorian Gray).

• Watching high-quality adaptations or performances (on BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Amazon Prime) can also bring texts alive.
   

3. Practise real-world reading and writing

From Year 7 through to Year 13, the ability to read critically and write purposefully is central to English success. Parents can help by encouraging their child to read newspaper articles, opinion pieces, or blogs, and to discuss the writer’s message, tone, and methods. For older pupils, particularly those studying English Language, try setting a short challenge:

• “Write a letter to a local MP about an issue you care about.”

• “Summarise this article’s main argument in 3 bullet points.”

• “Rewrite this speech for a different audience.”

These tasks mirror exam requirements and help build confident, articulate communicators.

What opportunities for enrichment are there in English?

• We offer school trips to relevant productions of the texts we teach when they are available.

• All Year 11 watch a performance of Macbeth to support their study of Shakespeare.

• We offer a Gods and Monsters club at KS3; offering an insight into classical literature and civilisation.

 

What careers can success in English lead to?

Success in English can lead to a wide range of careers that value strong communication, critical thinking, and creativity. These include journalism, law, publishing, advertising, teaching, public relations, marketing, and media production. Many employers—from business and politics to charities and tech—seek individuals who can write clearly, argue persuasively, and analyse information effectively. Whether crafting a compelling article, preparing a legal case, or developing campaign messages, the skills gained through English are highly transferable and valued across diverse industries.

 

For further information, contact:

• Head of English: Mr Richard Iglikowski-Broad, rbroad@lampton.org.uk.

• Key Stage 3 Lead (Years 7-9): Ms Ffion Davies, fdavies@lampton.org.uk.

• Key Stage 4 Lead (GCSE): Ms Emily Giles, egiles@lampton.org.uk.

• Key Stage 5 Lead (GCE): Ms Jovairya Dar, jdar@lampton.org.uk.

 

KS3 Assessment Objectives:

Reading

AO	Objective	Summary
AO1	Interpret and Infer	Demonstrate understanding of explicit and implicit meaning using textual evidence, including in archaic and complex texts.
AO2	Analyse Writer’s Methods	Analyse how language, structure and form shape meaning; use terminology precisely.
AO3	Context and Connections	Explore how contexts and literary traditions influence meaning and connect texts across time.
AO4	Compare Perspectives	Compare writers’ ideas and methods, including their use of form and context.
AO5	Evaluate and Respond Critically	Form reasoned, supported personal responses with awareness of alternative interpretations.

 

Writing

AO	Objective	Summary
AO6	Content and Organisation	Communicate clearly and effectively in varied forms; organise ideas coherently.
AO7	Technical Accuracy	Use precise vocabulary, accurate grammar, and punctuation; spell challenging terms correctly.
AO8	Authorial Voice and Style	Develop voice, tone and style appropriate to genre and audience; emulate literary/rhetorical styles.

 

Speaking and Listening

AO	Objective	Summary
AO9	Speaking	Speak fluently and with purpose in a range of contexts, adapting tone and vocabulary.
AO10	Listening & Responding	Listen actively and respond thoughtfully and respectfully in discussions.